Montverde To Feature Koprivica In ESPN2 Televised Matchup
Montverde heads into a heavily anticipated local and national matchup with Orlando Christian Prep Thursday as the country’s top-ranked program.
Kevin Boyle’s program enters the sizzling matchup at 21-0, having trounced a number of national powers. While Boyle has groomed the likes of Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Ben Simmons, and D’Angelo Russell during his illustrious career in the prep ranks, R.J. Barrett appears to be in a class of his own.
R.J. Barrett
The 6-foot-7 left-handed guard/forward is a surefire lottery pick, with many projecting the Duke-bound Class of 2018 recruit to go first overall in his draft class. Barrett has a prolific scoring acumen that enables him to pick apart a defense en route to finishing. He can score with either hand and has a prolific touch from all three levels. His 3-point game was evident during a recent win against LUHI at the Beach Ball Classic.
Barrett’s another player who is on constant aerial watch, as he has the high-flying athleticism to make an All-American play capable of sending the gym into a frenzy. Had David Stern not implemented the age rule 12 years ago, Barrett is the type of rarified talent capable of making the leap to the NBA out of high school.
Andrew Nembhard
The Florida-commit is as heady a passer as you’ll find in high school basketball. With the arrival of a perimeter-oriented 7-foot-1 Class of 2019 prospect in Balsa Koprivica, Nembhard has another big target. He’s a quality kid because he never gets enamored with his statline, the type of player who can score just five points but hand out 14 assists. On other high caliber teams throughout the country he could be a 20+ PPG scorer.
Michael Devoe
The 6-foot-4 Georgia Tech signee has an all around scoring ability and a craftiness that elicits fits in defenders. Devoe’s deep, NBA 3-point range is also instrumental in spreading out Montverde and opening up the court.
The left-handed transfer via Oak Ridge also brings an above the rim game and crafty tools such as a nifty floater.
Makhi Mitchell
The big forward has emerged into a walking double double threat. Following a stellar performance in China and coming alive during a 10-point win over nationally ranked DeMatha, Mitchell has been an invaluable piece in the trenches. The Maryland-commit scored 14 points and grabbed 11 boards in the team’s end to end washout of LUHI.
He changes shots defensively, an aspect that’s enabled Montverde to thrive as it has this season.
Balsa Koprivica
The 7-foot-1 Serbian is a high major prospect with offers from LSU, Louisville, Arizona, Baylor, Florida State, and myriad others.
A four-year varsity player who started his career at University School in Fort Lauderdale, the Windermere Prep transfer brings high percentage finishing ability and a feathery mid-range and outside shot.
He’s got the physical attributes and multi-faceted tool-set, with deft passing and a back to the basket game.
Koprivica’s name has been entangled in the sordid FBI scandal that rocked college basketball, albeit there is no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing on his end.
As a proactive precautionary measure, Windermere Prep kept him out of action until learning that his eligibility would no longer be concerning.
Koprivica transferred to Montverde in December.
While it’s unknown whether or not he will start Thursday, the heavily touted Class of 2019 recruit should play his first quality minutes this season.